Do not grind starchy, fibrous, or hard foods.
Avoid putting the following items down your food disposal:
- Popcorn kernels
- Seeds
- Celery stalks
- Onion skins
- Artichokes
- Potato skins
- Eggshells
- Coffee grounds
All of these items can break, clog, and dull your garbage disposal’s blades, leading to additional problems.
Break items down into smaller, more manageable sizes before putting them in the garbage disposal.
Your garbage disposal works around the clock to break down items and make your life easier. Each time it has to work overtime, it could be damaging the system. Take some of the strain off your garbage disposal by cutting larger items into smaller pieces, so the disposal does not overwork or overheat.
Clean your garbage disposal regularly.
It’s a good idea to make sure your garbage disposal is clean and operating efficiently. The best way to do this is to unplug the device, swipe a paper towel around inside, and place a few small ice cubes down it to grind and remove stuck-on debris. NEVER clean or maintain a garbage disposal while it is plugged in.